Tax Office Misdirecting Refund Checks, Catania Says

While a jail term handed down yesterday addressed one big problem at the District's tax and revenue office, other problems may remain, according to Council member David A. Catania (I-At Large).
Catania's partner received an income tax refund for $10. Not much, but Brian Kearney actually owed money. And a constituent contacted Catania's office about a $2,886 check incorrectly sent to him.

So just how many of these errant refunds were distributed, and how many have been returned?

David Umansky, a spokesman for Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi, said the office is looking into the matter, which was brought to its attention last week by Catania.
"I don't know the scope of the problem, but something is not right," Catania said. "This is a wakeup call."

People could be cashing the checks, he said. "In this environment, it can be very tempting."

No surprise. I owed DC last year - interestingly enough they sent me a check for the amount that i owed them... I sent it back the same day I opened it, along with the check for the amount I owe them... damn dc gov't!!!

"People could be cashing the checks, he said. 'In this environment, it can be very tempting.'" This guy could be a detective. I called OTR to inquire about my refund, it had been months, they said that they had never received it. After another call they said they had a problem with the direct deposit (even though I used the same account as last year). The gentleman fixed it right away, but dang, how long would it have been before they contacted me? Meanwhile they're giving money to other people. I love it. I'll run that place for half the salary of Ghandi and do at least a similar job.